In a scenario of unprecedented growth in global digital infrastructure, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) plays a strategic role in ensuring that the country continues to consolidate itself as one of the main connectivity hubs in Latin America.
While global investment in new submarine cable systems will exceed $16 billion between 2026 and 2029, according to the specialized firm TeleGeography, the institution oversees the technical, operational and security conditions that make the installation and protection of this critical infrastructure for international telecommunications possible.
TeleGeography projects that this will be one of the biggest waves of investment in submarine cables in recent decades, driven by the growing demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, data centers and the sustained increase in global information traffic.
In this context, the AMP technically evaluates the proposed routes for the installation of new submarine cables, verifies their compatibility with other maritime activities, supervises laying operations, updates nautical charts, and coordinates actions to protect the areas where this infrastructure is located.
Although administrative concessions for the installation of submarine cables are granted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Panama Maritime Authority plays an essential role in ensuring that these projects comply with the criteria for navigational safety and protection of the national maritime space.
Currently, seven submarine cable systems cross Panamanian territorial waters, solidifying the country's position as a strategic hub for regional connectivity. According to ProPanama, this infrastructure supports 100% of regional internet traffic, 97% of international telephone traffic, and 90% of regional data transmission—factors that strengthen the country's competitiveness in attracting investment in data centers and technology companies.
The growth of this network continues. In early 2026, the TAM-1 system arrived in Panama, a submarine cable approximately 7,000 kilometers long with a capacity of up to 650 terabits per second (Tbps) that will connect the country with the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. Furthermore, Panama will be the landing point for the future MANTA system, a new project that will link the country with the United States, Mexico, and Colombia, further strengthening its role as a digital bridge for the continent.
Protecting this infrastructure also presents an ongoing challenge. Between 2008 and 2019, incidents in Panamanian waters resulted in losses exceeding $11 million, primarily due to damage caused by vessels anchoring on submarine cables. To mitigate these risks, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) maintains mechanisms for technical assessment, inter-institutional coordination, and protection of the routes where this critical infrastructure operates.
The growing global demand for data exchange capacity underscores the importance of the work carried out by the Panama Maritime Authority. Through the regulation, supervision, and protection of submarine cables, the institution contributes to strengthening maritime security and Panama's position as one of the region's main digital interconnection hubs.
